I am afraid I do have one gripe though – why on earth, in a magazine dedicated to cryptic crosswords, to you include dreadful acrostic and logic puzzles?  I do not wish to do such puzzles and, if I did, I would subscribe to your bi-monthly Puzzle Collection.  All they do is take up valuable space where a cryptic crossword could be!!!!!

Apart from that, it is great to have a bi-monthly cryptic crossword book instead of just having the odd one in your other magazines or waiting for your yearly Cryptic Collection.

Cynthia Rabet (Miss)

5 x £40 Winners
E Brown, Ashton; R Cresswell, Walsall; J Monahan, Coventry; Kay Tullett, Eastbourne; A West, Earls Barton.

Goliathon No 208
1 x Alba 7 inch Portable DVD Player
W Smith, Bognor Regis.

1 x The New English Cookbook
Dawn Aiton, Hayes.

3 x Lovatts Rain Jackets & Trolley Token Keyrings
Jennifer Green, Holmes Chapel; Catherine Morris, Southampton; Pat Robertson, Edinburgh.

DEMON No 208
1 x Kodak C140 8.2MP Digital Camera
R Robinson, Watchet.

2 x Bradford Crossword Solver’s Dictionary
Rob Gardener, Holsworthy; E Ruthven, Corby.

2 x Lovatts Trolley Tokens Key Rings & Coffee Mugs
A Layton, Great Yarmouth; H Wardell, Marton.

BONANZA No 208
Wordygig – P8
Solution: 1b, 2a, 3c, 4a
2 x Lovatts Shopping Bags & Trolley Token Key Rings
D Bennett, Sutton Coldfield; Helene Medcalf, Cheshunt.

The Knowledge – P10
Solution: Flash Gordon
2 x Collins Gem Books on Quotations & Correction Pens
Valerie Fleming, Peterlee; J Thornton, Garforth.

Starhunt 1 – P16
Solution: Amy Winehouse
2 x Collins Gem Books on Quotations & Correction Pens
M Davies, Deepcar; M Scates, Bedlington.

Starhunt 3 – P17
Solution: John Forsythe
2 x Lovatts Thermo Mugs
Kay Gozzard, Dronfield; Norman Wilkinson, Linthwaite.

Ninesies – P18
Solution: Veteran
2 x Collins Gem Book – Bradford Crossword Lists
G Stain, Nuneaton; M Vidoretti, Blackpool.

Pop Words – P20
Solution: Gene Pitney
2 x Boxed CD Sets – Greatest Songs from the Musicals
Helen Malvaney, Alvaston; Max Murray, Elderslie.

Elevenses 1 – P22
Solution: Cardigan
2 x Lovatts Coffee Mugs & Trolley Token Key Rings
Alan Cutler, Dartford; Margaret Smith, Beverley.

Wheel Words – P24
Solution: Romancing
2 x Collins Gem Books – ‘5 Minute Memory Workout’ & Correction Pens
Eileen Elsworthy, Bransholme; P Hagger, Hull.

Memory Lane – P28
Solution: Your Valentine
2 x Lovatts Shopping Bags & Trolley Token Key Rings
Carole Daniel, Scarborough; Shirley Dearden, Mereside.

Two-Way Teaser – P38
Solution: Secret Admirer
2 x Lovatts Rain Jackets & Trolley Token Key Rings
Beryl Jones, Plymouth; Gwenllian Jones, Swansea.

Do Your Block – P42
Solution: Dearest
2 x Clip On Reading Lamps
David Jones, Carshalton; F Kingscott, Quedgeley.

Starhunt 5 – P46
Solution: Richard Harris
2 x Lovatts Tea Towels & Coffee Mugs
J Jenkins, Churchdown; Jean Ogilvie, Wakefield.

Starhunt 7 – P47
Solution: Joan Chen
2 x Collins Gem English Dictionaries
D Brown, Redhill; N Gayton, Rotherham.

Elevenses 2- P52
Solution: Number
2 x Lovatts Shopping Bags & Tea Towels
Heather Clelford, Banbury; J Plumpton, King’s Lynn.

Starhunt 9 – P58
Solution: Will Ferrell
2 x Lovatts Coffee Mugs, Trolley Token Key Rings & Correction Pens
Annie Hall, Wokingham; David Robinson, Billingham.

Starhunt 11 – P59
Solution: Helen Bonham Carter
2 x Lovatts Rain Jackets & Trolley Token Key Rings
Pat Cowell, Leeds; Mary Liddle, Sacriston.

FindaWord – P75
Solution: Marriage Proposal
2 x Collins Gem Book – Bradford Crossword List & Correction Pens
R Allan, Carluke; C Farquharson, Hamilton.

 Mrs G Jones, Clydach, Swansea; Mrs D Manning, Sutton, Surrey; Mrs P Randall, March, Cambridgeshire; Mrs R Welfare, Torquay, Devon; Mrs P White, Colchester, Essex

GIANT CRYPTIC No 218
2 x Glass Decanter Sets.
E Lake, Slough; J Whittaker, Farnham.

2 x Lovatts Prize Packs including Coffee Mug, Lovatts Rain Jacket & Screwdriver Sets
Angela Firth, Kirkburton; Irene Proctor, Grimsby.

2 x Lovatts Shopping Bag & Trolley Token Key Ring
A Marples, Chesterfield; Lesley Marshall, Drybrook.

CASHWORDS No 218
£300 Winner
Bernard Goldenfield, Whitefield.

5 x £40
M Baxter, Bootle; J Gilham, Bedfont; Rodger Turnbull, Dyce; David Veal, Ringwood; Ian Wright, Crayford.

Stinker No 218
21 inch TV & DVD Combi
D Brownrigg, Ponteland.

2 x Franklin Pocket Spellers
B Gillett, Bedford; P Smith, York.

3 x Lovatts Shopping Bag & Trolley Token Key Ring
Wendy Hughes, Millom; S King, Baldock; R Mitchell, Baldock.

5 x £40 Winners
Karen Dack, Southall; James Girdwood, West Calder; M Hulse, Clevedon; J Newcombe, Walton-On-Thames; Anne Winter, Middlesborough.

Goliathon No 207
1 x HoMedics Shiatsu Massage Cushion with Heat
Anne Cook, Burnley.

1 x Market Kitchen Cookbook
D Varley, Morley.

3 x Lovatts Rain Jackets
P Evans, Maghull; S Reardon, Didcot; A Thomson, Larkhall.

DEMON No 207
1 x 24 Piece Porcelain Dinner Set
Nancy Brook, Burwash.

2 x Collins Books – The Complete Crossword Companion
R Mitchell, Baldock; J Phillips, Carmarthen.

2 x Lovatts Trolley Tokens Key Rings & Coffee Mugs
Daphne Russell, Inverkeithing; P Wright, Streetly.

BONANZA No 207
Wordygig – P8
Solution: 1b, 2c, 3a, 4a

2 x Collins Pocket English Dictionaries
Douglas Cole, Ipswich; D Phillips, Worcester.

The Knowledge – P10
Solution: Body Language
2 x Collins Gem Books on Quotations
D Jex, Tavistock; Dennis Shepherd, Rochdale.

Starhunt 1 – P16
Solution: Keeley Hawes
2 x Lovatts Tea Towels & Screwdriver Sets
Astrid Hurst, St Ives; M Payne, Partridge Green.

Starhunt 3 – P17
Solution: Shirley Maclaine
2 x Collins World Atlases
N Bates, Bexhill; N Lewis, Pontrdulais.

Ninesies – P18
Solution: Alaska
2 x Lovatts Rain Jackets
R Fairweather, Reading; Tilla Smith, Pwllheli.

Pop Words – P20
Solution: Anne Murray
2 x Boxed CD Sets – Ultimate Classical Box
Tina Atterbury, Norwich; Margaret Day, Wells.

Elevenses 1 – P22
Solution: Present
2 x Lovatts Tea Towels & Trolley Token Key Rings
Rosemary Harris, Cannock; Wilma Morrison, Rutherglen.

Wheel Words – P24
Solution: Happiness
2 x Lovatts Coffee Mugs & Correction Pens
Betty Crawford, Irvine; Catherine Mohun, Pudsey.

Memory Lane – P28
Solution: Lollipops
2 x Black Leaf Print Glass Placemat and Coaster Sets
Danny Jenkins, East Molesey; Rose White, Waltham Cross.

Two-Way Teaser – P38
Solution: Wine and Roses
2 x Lovatts Trolley Tokens, Screwdriver Sets & Correction Pens
A Gear, Carlisle; R Gordon, Bolton.}

Do Your Block – P42
Solution: Start
2 x Lovatts Shopping Bags & Trolley Token Key Rings
P Farrell, Gendros; Jo Quarcoopome, Brighton.

Starhunt 5 – P46
Solution: Lloyd Bridges
2 x Lovatts Rain Jackets & Trolley Token Key Rings
F Collier, Falmouth; N Rushby, Flitwick.

Starhunt 7 – P47
Solution: Keira Knightley
2 x Collins Gem – 5 Minute Memory Workout
M Langdon, Exeter; W Larn, Grimsby.

Elevenses 2- P52
Solution: Macrame
2 x Lovatts Shopping Bags and Trolley Token Key Rings
Sheila Dix, Risca; Joan Heselwood, Leeds.

Starhunt 9 – P58
Solution: Mena Suvari
2 x Reading Lamps
George Moy, Chichester; J Stallwood, Polegate.

Starhunt 11 – P59
Solution: Justin Timberlake
2 x Collins Pocket Dictionaries
G Emery, Leigh-On-Sea; Helen Mulvaney, Alvaston.

FindaWord – P75
Solution: Chatham Islands NZ
2 x Lovatts Tea Towels & Shopping Bags
E Cowan, Inveraray; Catherine Harvey, Glasgow.

6 x £50
E Dunne, Lingwood; Judith Gisborne, Malaga, Spain; Yvonne Leach, Shipley; R Mitchell, Baldock; Joan Painter, London; B Tunks, London.

Double Monster Drawer No 66
2 x £100
Janet Robinson, Fangfoss; H Wardell, Marton.

Monster Colossus Winner No 66
1 x £50
M Ward, Sandwich.

Monster Colossus Runners-Up No 66
4 x £25
Michelle Felstead, Orpington; M Frater, Glasgow; Maria Neal, Christchurch; P Trimnell, Melksham.

Monster Starhunt Winner No 66
1 x £50
Marie MacDonald, Glasgow.

Monster Starhunt Runners-Up No 66
4 x £25
Maria Finnegan, Dublin; Helena Gould, Hatton; Nicola Lammiman, Great Yarmouth; D Young, Christchurch.

STINKER No 66
2 x Sony Personal CD Players with Tuner
David Rouse, Great Maplestead; M Davis, Higham Ferrers.

3 x Franklin Pocket Spellers
P Court, Bromsgrove; B Ingram, Queensway; J Winspear, Saxmundham.

GIANT CRYPTIC No 66
2 x Hitachi HDC-891E 8MP Digital Cameras
Christine Horn, Crewe; S Wallace, Weybridge.

3 x Lovatts Prize Packs
Fiona Driver, Huddersfield; Susan Dunford, Bromley; Carole Harris, Lancaster.

COLLECTION CONTEST COUPON No 66
Chain Letters – P53
Solution: Establishment
3 x Collins Gem Books & Correction Pens
N Barker, Felixstowe; V Ingram, Inverurie; Chris Pine, Chelmsford.

Spirogram – P59
Solution: Royal
3 x Lovatts Tea Towels & Shopping Bags
A Griffith-Jenkins, Haverfordwest; Jean Hassell, Tiverton; Rosie Marden, Buckie.

Pop Words – P60
Solution: Herb Alpert
3 x Lovatts Coffee Mugs & Trolley Token Key Rings
Peter Barber, Forfar; M Pindard, Plymouth; E Silsbury, Ivybridge.

Findaword – P64
Solution: Santa Claus
3 x Lovatts Coffee Mugs, & Trolley Token Key Rings
M Barker, North Shields; T Logan, Pontefract; Mary Pay, West Hanningfield.

Starcross – P65
Solution: Imagine That
3 x Lovatts Rain Jackets
Marion Mason, Gurnos; Jean Nicholson, Sheffield; K Sherman, Southport.

Cluedunnit – P70
Solution: Julie Walters
3 x Collins Gem Books & Correction Pens
Jackie Lee, Perton; J Peary, South Woodford; D Zackon, London.

Retroflex – P71
Solution: Spread
3 x Collins Gem Dictionary & Thesuraus
J Adderley, Erdington; L Hewitt, Kearsley; M Kerr, Glasgow.

Who Am I? – P72
Solution: Ricky Gervais
3 x Lovatts Rain Jackets
L Fuller, Reading; Mario Georgiou, London; K Healy, Withywood.

Paraphernalia, for instance, comes from the Greek para alongside and pherne dowry. In ancient Greece, when a bride moved into her husband’s house, she took her personal property with her, cooking utensils, jewellery, cosmetics etc which she was allowed to keep. If they got divorced, which was quite common then, the woman was allowed to keep her paraphernalia, while the families sorted out the lands, cattle, house and money.

In those ancient days, the world as they knew it was surrounded by the great river Oceanus, for it was generally considered that the world was flat. If you failed to return from a voyage on the dreaded River Ocean, you must have fallen off the edge. Oceanus gave its name to ocean.

A long, arduous and eventful journey can be described as an odyssey, which also comes from ancient Greece. The Greek poet Homer wrote the long epic poem Odyssey about the Greek hero, Odysseus (known as Ulysses to the Romans) and his long journey back to Greece after the fall of Troy.

The Trojan War lasted ten years and it took him another ten to reach home. His wife Penelope was still waiting for him, fighting off her many suitors, with the help of her son.

Marathon runners might be interested to know that the village called Marathon, north of Athens, was the spot where the Persians invaded Greece, about 2,500 years ago. The Athenians defended and the battle raged on in Athens, resulting in a win by the home side.

A Greek soldier, Pheidippides, who had fought all day, was ordered to tell the people of Marathon that their city was saved. For some reason he ran all the way, about 43 kms, delivered the good news, and dropped dead from exhaustion.

This distance of 43kms, or 26 miles, is now the standard marathon distance run, thanks to poor old Pheidippides.

Happy Puzzling!

GIANT CRYPTIC No 217
2 x Glass Decanter Sets
F Khan, Islamabad; L Walsh, Bolton.

2 x Lovatts Prize Packs including Coffee Mug, Lovatts Rain Jacket & Screwdriver Sets,
J Davis, Kettering; E Gray, Downham Market.

2 x Lovatts Shopping Bag & Trolley Token Key Ring
J Pearce, Thornbury; J Stephenson, Sleaford.

CASHWORDS No 217
£300 Winner
William Challinor, Sandon.

5 x £40
Gladys Anderson, Castle Gouglas; A Blackman, Ferndown; E Buswell, Loughborough; Jill Gilbert, Peterborough; Lynda Grundy, Huddersfield.

Stinker No 217
21 inch TV & DVD Combi
P Wilford, Rotherham.

2 x Franklin Pocket Spellers
Susan Lee, Scarborough; S Philp, Glasgow.

3 x Lovatts Shopping Bag & Trolley Token Key Ring
Audrey Acton, Basildon; Keith Mountford, Stoke-On-Trent; Shirley Nichols, Yapton.

Mrs Jean Culkin, Lancaster, Lancashire;
Mrs Ann Haynes, Heanor, Derbyshire;
Mr Albert Hodgson, Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan;
Mrs K J Nixon, Attleborough, Norfolk;
Mrs Joyce Nolan, Middlesborough, North Yorkshire;
Mrs P V Rogers, Mendlesham, Suffolk;
Mrs E Ruthven, Corby, Northamptonshire;
Ms D Trimble, Holywood, County Down;
Mr Terry Westwood, Great Barr, Birmingham;
Miss K Wilson, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire.

Mega Mix
1 x £100
I Mitchell, Kings Lynn.

Mega Stinker
1 x Alba Pocket Camcorder
D King, Leeds
2 x Franklin Electronic Pocket Spellers
A Hallam, Great Yarmouth; Rita Roberts, Billingham.

Subscribers Only Contest!
1 x £50
Paul Ainsworth, Barnsley.